Saturday, January 31, 2009

Friday, January 30, 2009

A woman who wasn't invited to her sister's wedding reception showed up anyway and attacked the bride, pulling out clumps of her hair, police said. Annmarie Bricker, 23, of Valparaiso, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of battery.More News

Jeremy Glotzbach told police he was hosting a reception for newlyweds Nicholas Landry and Lori Kappes at his home on Jan. 23 when Bricker, Kappes' sister, attacked Kappes on the front porch.Bricker pulled out clumps of Kappes' hair, struck her head and took the bride to the ground during a struggle, according to the Porter County Sheriff's Department.Bricker told police she went to the house because she "just wanted to talk" to her sister and parents about family problems. She said she never touched her sister, but five witnesses contradicted her, authorities said. Kappes did not need medical treatment.Bricker later resigned from her job as a Porter County 911 dispatcher, officials said.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Maddox is in this stage that can only be described as "Whatchutalkin about Willis?".

First example: Maddox is terrified, yet fascinated with dogs. While we don’t have a dog, when he sees them on the street, in a magazine or on TV, he gleefully utters “Doggie” several times. This is when the dog is at a safe distance. The other week a neighbor’s dog was going out for it's walk at the same moment Maddox was climbing the stairs to our apartment. The dog, which is some breed of bull dog, came bounding down the stairs like a tornado towards Maddox which then resulted in him almost falling down the stairs and he broke out in hysterical crying. My neighbor and I tried to calm the situation by saying to Maddox that it was a “nice doggy” and showed him that I was petting the dog. Maddox wasn’t having it and continued to cry. Once the dog went on his way and we were back in the apartment, just about settled down, Maddox started crying for the doggy. Yes, reaching out his hand and calling “doggy, doggy” amongst tears. He wanted the dog back. I was confused.

Second example:

Last night during a run to Trader Joes, an employee handed Maddox a balloon. He was fascinated and wanted to hold on to it. He typically loves balloons. What kid doesn't? Several times during our shopping trip he either asked for the balloon or swatted it away andsaid "No!". We got into the car…same thing. He cried for the balloon when it was out of his reach and then cried and said "no" when I handed it to him. Dude. And on the stairs to the apartment… same scenario. Of course this is all while I’m trying to lug three bags full of wine, food and other sundries into the apartment while coaxing him up the stairs. Amidst Maddox’s cries of misery of the stairway feat, the balloon finally popped when it hit the stairwell light. This resulted in more crying and calling for “balloon balloon balloon". But wait... You didn't want the balloon 30 seconds ago. Now you do?

Man... I need a new book. Nothing in those damn "What to expect..." tomes told me to how to figure out this little "phase".

Monday, January 19, 2009

Let me explain the word game. Basically there's this long period between the first word your child says to where they are actually communicating. During this period your child knows a handful of words. You keep on reading to him, explaining your day... "I'm cooking dinner" "We're eating chicken for dinner" "Mommy is drinking wine". Or using words in sentences... "That's a bird" "The bird flies in the sky" "The bird is blue" It seems like he'll never talk in comprehensible language. You also start noticing that all his friends are talking. They say all kinds of things. You start to wonder and just assume he's a late bloomer. Then as if there was a switch flipped, the words start spewing. He's repeating everything, naming things, using words in sentences, reciting Shakespeare...ok maybe not that yet, but I know it's close. Well Maddox has hit the switch. Right now his favorite thing to say is, "Alrighty". Which sounds a little bit like that dog that says "I love you" AW WI WI. But hey it's a start.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

I've seen these little plush toys popping up lately and wanted to share. The Japanese are known for there potty humor and now you can pass it down to your child! Pee and Poop Plushies are here! Since I'm about to start potty training, maybe these would be a good training aid. What do you think?

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

I wonder when I will stop calling my son “baby”, referring to him as a “baby” or when talking with my husband, saying “the baby”. It just seems so strange to say son. It makes me feel old. I guess he will always be my baby but saying it and feeling it are two different things. There also will come a time when he may react to being called a baby negatively. Like, “Hey, I’m not a baby!!” Maybe that’s when I’ll change it. I just like saying baby. Baby baby baby. You’ll always be my baby!!!

Of course the word just comes out without even thinking about it, so it may be hard to change. But, until I get any flack, I’m going to still use it.

As you might be able to sense from this post, I'm becoming a little emotional these days. My "baby" is about to turn two. Yes, two. Two. I can't believe it. It's been two years since he entered our lives. It's been an amazing ride so far and I can only imagine what the future will bring. My little baby is becoming a little boy. He has really enriched our lives. In so many ways. Sacha was just saying the other day how he feels so much closer to me and our relationship. It's not that he was any less in love before baby, but it's such a different and deeper love now. For the whole family.

When I was pregnant people were always telling me how amazing it is to have a child. How you'll love this little person more than anything. So when I had Maddox and I didn't experience that right off the bat, I was a little worried that I'm just not the deep loving type of person. Where was this love everyone went on about? For the first 6 or 7 months of life these little vessels of poop and pee, just lay there and cry! But once they start interacting, walking, giggling at the funny faces you make, talking and probably the best thing...hugging you back, it all comes together.

Let's talk about that for a minute, hugging you back. I'd say the first time Maddox did this was probably the best thing ever. Just feeling that hug. It was amazing. It made all the bad days go away and all the sleepless nights seem like nothing.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

I admit over the past few years my award show viewing has died down a bit, but there was a time where I would watch every one from Oscars and Emmys to MTV Awards and Blockbuster Awards. My staples now consist of the Golden Globes and the Oscars for sure. The Emmys were always a favorite, but the past two years I feel the show has just gone down in quality. The Grammys are pretty pathetic now. I never really did know what the difference was between Record of the Year and Album of the Year.

Tonight the Globes are on. I'm excited. The glitz, the glam. I love the Red Carpet coverage, especially since I now DVR it and can fast-forward through the "filling air time" bits. The only issue I have this year is that I haven't seen any of the movies that are up for Best Picture. So it goes with being a parent. I may try to get one in before the Oscars, but I definitely won't get in all 5 that will be nominated.

The red carpet is always entertaining. I'm not a big fan of "who are you wearing" type banter, I feel it's old and tired to ask that question. I just like to see the stars. Are you an awards show junkie like me?

Thursday, January 8, 2009

This week’s Momtrovesy is surrounded by Right Wing Conservative Ann Coulter’s comments about Single Mothers on various TV News shows. Comments taken from her new book. (Which I won't give the name of because why promote it?) Her main point was that single moms raise criminals. Basically, when ever Ms. Coulter has a book to promote she slams some group or someone and gets a lot of press coverage which in turn gets people to buy the book. Ann is a marvel in the media world. She knows exactly what buttons to push to promote herself and is laughing to the bank. If you ever heard this “woman” you’d agree she is a disgrace to real women all over. I have a feeling she may be a scorned man reincarnated. That would be the only reason she could spew such insults towards women. The funny thing is, she’s insecure. That’s the only explanation for her words. She can’t find a husband, she can’t have children and millions of people hate her. Her only defense to is put down the very things she wants most.

I for one, give single moms A LOT of kudos. I am fortunate to have a very involved husband. This week he is out of town and I can totally feel the daily grind that single moms go through. I know there’s an end to doing all the child related duties myself for a week, but can you imagine doing it for the long term? Hats off to you, ladies.

Monday, January 5, 2009

For a few months now I've been trying to come up with a valid way to get like-minded women together online to chat, discuss, blog, create content and be themselves. I heard about a site called Ning.com that has been around for a few years that allows you to create your own Social Network. Bingo!

I created slicksocial.com. It's a place where we can all hang, meet, chat. There's ways to add videos, photos, discussions, groups. It's really great. I just started it and hope to have it grow and grow. It's kind of a hip spot for women to come and say what's on their mind. No holds barred.

TMZ posted the menu from the Sidwell Friends School that Obama's little girls, Sasha and Malia, are attending in Washington DC. Zucchini Bread, Pumpkin and Sage Soup, Garlic Organic Green Beans. Yum! I wish I could go there! Check out the full menu here.

And this is after I found out how much sugar was in the dried fruit I've been feeding Maddox. Need to revamp my menu I think!

Sunday, January 4, 2009

It's Sunday. The last day of the two week bliss of no work, no school, no real obligations. Sure, we were obliged to see friends, give gifts, visit Santa, ski some slopes. I even had to go in to work for a few hours this past week, Sacha had to go in a couple days. But no real obligations were on our plate. We actually got a bit bored about mid-week last week. We usually can fill weekends with errands, museums, zoos and the like, but two full weeks to fill? That was tough. If it was just the two of us we may have just had TV marathons of new shows to fill the day, but with a little one now we felt compelled to actually leave the house. We went to the park, we visited friends, we even saw Mochi being pounded at the Asian Art Museum. Just as I get used to this laid back, lifestyle...reality will rear it head tomorrow.